Finally, after more than 4 decades, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has a home to call its own.
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has inaugurated its newly constructed central office building on Bonifacio Drive corner 20th Street at Port Area, Manila. The 12,000-square meter 12-storey building was constructed with a cost of PHP382 million through the assistance of the Department of Public Works and Highways and Angkla party-list.
MARINA Officer-In-Charge Vice Admiral Narciso Vingson Jr. said the construction of its new office is a manifestation of its commitment to strengthen its organization.
“The structure signifies our commitment to transform into a world-class and capable organization. We are favored in such a pivotal time where we are housed, furnished and equipped in a facility where we would be able to produce results that we can be proud of. From here on, truly we can all be positive that we have built something that will end up building us,” VAdm Vingson said during the blessing ceremony of the building.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade, meanwhile, lauded the MARINA for implementing various initiatives to strengthen maritime education in compliance with the audit of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).
DoTr Sec. Arthur Tugade lead the ceremony. Photo: Roman Prospero
A major initiative is the issuance of Executive Order No. 63 that mandates the MARINA to be the single maritime agency that will be in charge of the implementation of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). This will ensure seamless administration of maritime education programs and promote coordination among agencies such as the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Health (DOH), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
“The takeaway for this inauguration are the efforts of previous administrations to address issues cited by EMSA. This has been the issue of CHED and MARINA for several years, but this problem was already addressed because CHED and MARINA had an agreement where the control of management of operations are handed over to MARINA wherein the technical working committee now is controlled by MARINA. This is a major change),” DOTr Sec. Tugade said.
The blessing of the new building was also graced by OIC Undersecretary for Maritime Fernando Juan Perez, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Santiago, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant Elson Hermogino, Angkla Rep. Jesulito Manalo and Deputy Administrator for Operations Nanette-Villamor Dinopol.
The construction of the new central office building took place from 2015 to 2018 due to space programming to accommodate adjustments on manpower complement for the enhancement of the agency’s organizational structure.
Partial operations in the new building will start early 2019. Its full operation is expected before the end of 2019.
The MARINA–Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Office and the MARINA–Manpower Development Service (MDS) will be the last to move in the new facility to reduce possible disruption in the delivery of public service to seafarers such as the issuance of exam permits and necessary certificates.
“The construction of MARINA central office building in Manila, and MARINA regional office buildings inside government service centers across the country such as in Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, and Legazpi are intended to provide convenience to maritime stakeholders through more effective and more efficient delivery of services and to promote maritime industry development through better information dissemination and collaboration of efforts among maritime industry partners,” MARINA said.
(With reports from Catherine Datiles, OJT/PNA)